The Nigerian Senate has officially confirmed President Bola Tinubu’s seven new ministerial nominees following a comprehensive five-hour screening session on Wednesday. The confirmation comes after Tinubu’s recent cabinet reshuffle, which led to these new appointments, presented to the upper chamber by Senate Leader Michael Opeyemi Bamidele.
During the session, Bamidele urged the Senate to confirm each nominee, citing Section 147 (2) of the Nigerian Constitution, which mandates Senate approval for such appointments. The nominees, initially scheduled for Tuesday, faced the Senate’s Committee of the Whole under the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who presided over the exercise. Senators posed questions to each candidate, assessing their readiness and qualifications for the ministerial roles.
Among the newly confirmed ministers are notable figures, including Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi, Bianca Odinaka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, and Suwaiba Said Ahmed Ahmad. Their diverse professional backgrounds span health, industry, education, and international relations, reflecting Tinubu’s aim to address critical areas of national governance and development.
In closing remarks, Senate President Akpabio expressed his hopes for the nominees’ success in fulfilling their duties to benefit Nigerians, adding that their roles would demand dedication and a focus on national welfare.